Category Archives: Risk Xtra

Specialist fire and security engineer Tees Fire Systems (TFS) Limited has just won a seven-figure contract to install a new hybrid system at the busy University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton.

TFS Limited is one of 20 companies nationwide that are part of life safety systems manufacturer Hochiki Europe’s exclusive Systems Partner Network. The accolade recognises TFS Limited as a company with extensive expertise in the life safety and security industry and affords the business use of the latest products and technologies available from Hochiki Europe.

The University Hospital of North Tees provides services to people living in East Durham, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees and the surrounding areas. The hospital was founded back in 1968 and has current capacity for 563 beds across eight floors. The estate is managed by North Tees and Hartlepool Solution LLP.

As part of the contract, TFS Limited made the decision to specify products from Hochiki Europe for the project. Kevin Hynes, managing director at TFS Limited, said: “When our tender for the University Hospital contract was successful, we were praised for our technical knowledge. This is a testament to the hard work of our sales team and our status as an Hochiki Europe Systems Partner.”

During the course of the contract, TFS Limited is providing ongoing technical support for the end user around the installed solutions. The company also holds monthly progress meetings with hospital facilities managers to keep disruption to staff and patients to a minimum.

Mark Smith, UK sales manager at Hochiki Europe, added: “Installing life safety systems in healthcare environments can be challenging due to the complex layout of the buildings and the vulnerability of some occupants. As well as keeping disruption to a minimum, it’s also important that the new installation doesn’t compromise the functionality of existing systems. Over the next two years, we’ll work closely with TFS Limited to ensure that the new fire alarm system provides the highest levels of safety from the very moment it’s installed and best protects staff, patients and the premises.”

Steven Taylor, assistant director of estates and capital for the North Tees and Hartlepool Solution LLP, which is the organisation responsible for managing the healthcare estate, concluded: “We were very impressed by the technical knowledge and significant experience demonstrated by TFS Limited when it comes to working within a busy hospital environment. TFS Limited’s approach and insight is refreshing and provides the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust with full confidence that the project will be well managed and progressed in a collaborative manner.”

Work to install the new system began in June this year and is expected to be completed by Summer 2020.

Milestone Systems released its Device Pack 10.0a in October and now supports the MOBOTIX MOVE camera series. MOBOTIX MOVE is an independent product line providing customers with everything from a single source. MOVE stands for the use of mechanically moving parts in the cameras, meaning that MOBOTIX has parted with its previous product policy of only offering decentralised video systems. The MOBOTIX MOVE product line is the first motorised devices and ONVIF-based camera line to be produced by MOBOTIX.

“We’re glad to be supporting the first ONVIF-compliant products introduced by MOBOTIX as we believe this will enable us to realise a faster release to market going forward,” said Jesper Just Jensen, vice-president of products at Milestone Systems.

With the Device Pack 10.0a, Milestone Systems also supports new firmware for MOBOTIX’s Mx6 cameras. Mx6 cameras use a powerful CPU that delivers up to 34 fps in Full-HD. This allows for even better capture of quick movements. The camera line has more capacity for software applications (such as 3D motion analysis and license plate capture) in the camera.

Philipp Helmes, MOBOTIX’s product manager for integration solutions, observed: “Milestone Systems is one of the largest technology partners for MOBOTIX AG. Due to the growing global demand for our cyber-secure premium cameras, we’re very pleased to announce the release of the Device Pack 10.0a, which now enables the integration of the entire MOBOTIX camera world into the Milestone VMS, our Mx6 Internet of Things series as well as the latest MOVE cameras.”

Milestone Systems now supports more than 7,000 devices. 40% of its drivers are integrated through ONVIF, an open industry forum that provides and promotes standardised interfaces for the effective interoperability of IP-based physical security products and solutions.

ASSA ABLOY has acquired Lorient, the designer and manufacturer of high performance door sealing systems based in Newton Abbott, Devon.

ASSA ABLOY is an international group with around 47,000 employees and sales close to £6.4 billion. In the UK, ASSA ABLOY is best known for the Yale and UNION brands and has its head office and main manufacturing centre in Willenhall.

Given the strong commercial synergies between Lorient and ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK, and specifically the Door Hardware Group, the acquisition will create opportunities to drive innovation and add value for end user customers by offering a broader product portfolio.

Lorient will continue to operate as an autonomous entity as part of the Door Hardware Group, retaining the existing strong commercial and operational team that has made the business the success it is today. Existing customer contact points remain unchanged.

“Lorient is an exciting addition to our UK business and I’m delighted to welcome its teams into ASSA ABLOY,” said Harry Warrender, market region manager for ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK. “It offers an extensive high quality range of sealing systems for doors and boasts a strong track record of innovation. Its portfolio will extend the ASSA ABLOY offer into the commercial market here in the UK and overseas.”

Lorient was established in 1979. The business employs approximately 135 employees globally, with 2018 sales expected to reach around £18.6 million.

BT has signed a contract to deploy a new generation of network technology for IXOM, a market leader in the sphere of chemicals manufacturing and distribution in Australia and New Zealand. The arrangement will see IXOM benefit from BT’s latest SD-WAN and cyber security managed services as it shifts applications and data to the cloud in a bid to drive agility, efficiency and innovation.

IXOM’s new network will connect over 1,000 employees at 55 sites across 14 countries. That network will support the company’s digital transformation by delivering over seven times more bandwidth than the company’s existing infrastructure and offer a step change in resilience with dual connectivity to 35 major sites.

The network will be built around BT Agile Connect, a BT managed service based on an SD-WAN 2.0 solution by Nuage Networks from Nokia. This offers enhanced control and understanding of network infrastructure and traffic flows, a much faster, simpler and more secure way of setting up new sites, reduced complexity and lower costs.

BT will also deliver a 24×7 global cyber threat detection, investigation and response service. Managed from BT’s Australian Cyber Security Operations Centre and interfacing directly with IXOM’s in-house team, it will be based on a SIEM platform combined with specialist cyber analyst services. This will help to protect IXOM from today’s rapidly evolving threats.

Rowan Start, head of IT for IXOM, said: “We’re creating a resilient and agile technology environment to support our cloud applications and services. It will come with the ability to detect and respond to cyber threats in near real-time. We chose BT because of the company’s deep expertise in networking, its understanding of our unique operational environment and its ability to seamlessly integrate security services with our own team to create a true partnership model.”

Bernadette Wightman, managing director for resources, manufacturing and logistics at BT, responded: “Managing risk is a key consideration of any digital transformation programme. That’s why companies such as IXOM look to trusted partners like ourselves who can help them securely introduce the latest cloud-optimised network technologies. IXOM will benefit not only from the improved agility and control that our SD-WAN managed services offer, but also the reassurance that they’re working with one of the world’s leading cyber security practices. It’s a superb example of how our Dynamic Network Services Programme is helping customers deliver their digital transformation.”

BT’s Dynamic Network Services Programme is designed to give customers more choice, security, resilience, service and agility in the roll-out of future networks that support digital transformation. It helps customers to remove barriers to the adoption of SD-WAN and NFV by answering questions about which technologies to use as well as when and how to implement, configure and integrate them with existing networks in order to create a hybrid infrastructure fit for the digital age.

On the evening of Saturday 8 December, the Security Industry Authority’s (SIA) South East Partnerships and Interventions Team and Thames Valley Police officers called at Reading’s top student pubs and clubs to share Best Practice guidance on safer physical intervention for door supervisors as a reminder of how to keep their clients and themselves safe.

The initiative marked the Reading launch of a campaign designed to improve students’ safety during the Christmas party season. The SIA team members shared posters and leaflets on ‘Safer Physical Intervention for Door Supervisors’ with four top student pubs. The information features guidance and illustrations of Best Practice for safer restraint. This is intended as a quick reminder for door supervision licence holders and relates to the training they received in physical intervention.

Kevin Young, the SIA’s regional investigations manager for the South Region, stated that the initiative is a positive way in which to promote safer working practices at venues where acts of violence or aggression could occur.

“We want students and young people to have a great night out and go home this Christmas unharmed. Of course, we also want to ensure the safety of the licensed door supervisors who work at these venues, the majority of whom do a very good job in what can be challenging circumstances. This latest initiative builds on an existing partnership between the SIA and Thames Valley Police designed to reduce the levels of violence induced by what can ve high levels of alcohol consumption at Reading’s nightspots.”

The initiative is supported by Thames Valley Police (Reading) and the University of Reading.

In addition, the campaign seeks to persuade businesses and door supervisors in Reading’s night-time economy to report incidents to the police such that the SIA can form an accurate picture of the level of violence that takes place against students and door supervisors. Incidents can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the Regulator’s website.

Siemens Building Technologies is warning UK businesses about the potential consequences of false fire alarms during the busiest period of the year. False alarms from remotely-monitored fire detection and fire alarm systems cost the UK economy an estimated £1 billion in business disruption* with 95% of automatically-generated alarms being proven to be false**. This places Fire and Rescue Services and the public at unnecessary risk.

“The majority of automatic fire alarm calls are proven to be false and often caused by either false fire triggers or the inadequate maintenance of alarm systems,” commented Don Scott, fire engineering consultant at Siemens Building Technologies. “Christmas is already a time of heightened risk of fire for many businesses with the Fire and Rescue Services stretched to capacity across the country. False alarms create further pressures when the Emergency Services have to challenge whether alarms are genuine before attending incidents – the time lost could end up costing thousands of pounds in repairs or, at worst, put lives at risk.”

Ionisation or single-sensor optical smoke detectors are a common cause of false alarm activations as they have difficulty in accurately distinguishing between airborne pollutants, such as steam, aerosols, dust, cooking fumes, insects, sparks, embers and a real fire. The incorrect siting of detectors can also be triggered if there’s excessive air movement from mechanical heating or ventilation.

Multi-sensor detectors are responsive to more than one fire phenomena (ie smoke, heat and carbon monoxide) and are proven to be more immune to false alarm phenomena, thereby giving fewer false activations. For more stringent applications, beam detectors, heat detectors and aspirating detectors are available.

Regular maintenance programmes

A regular maintenance programme ensures the correct functioning of a fire alarm system. Inadequate servicing and testing compromise safety. If an alarm system is ageing or becoming unreliable, replacement is advised when offset against the cost of disruption to a business. Generally, detectors should be replaced every ten to 15 years, depending upon the environment in which they’re installed and the manufacturers’ recommendations.

Dave Green, national officer at the Fire Brigades Union, added: “False alarms use up resources which could be better served elsewhere. They also increase response times to actual emergencies. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Fire Services should always be called when any alarm is raised.”

Green concluded: “Fire Services are under more pressure than ever before, dealing with more incidents and more fires, but with increasingly fewer firefighters. Since 2009, there has been a 23% decrease in the number of firefighters across the UK. This huge decrease in the number of firefighters has meant that preventative work, which would help to reduce the number of false alarms, has worryingly fallen by the wayside.”

Intratone, the access control specialist, has appointed David Bell as its new UK country manager to head up the sales team, enhance brand awareness (by working together with the Marketing Department) and oversee the opening of the company’s UK head office).

Bell will have overall responsibility for the business in the UK including a team of eight area sales managers. Following the establishment of the UK subsidiary earlier this year, the head office is due to be opened in Chiswick this month.

David Bell: the new UK country manager for Intratone

Previously, Bell had served as general manager at Intertek, the provider of assurance testing, inspection and certification solutions, and as global business development manager at Survitec Group, a survival and safety solutions provider to the marine, defence, aviation and offshore markets.

“Intratone has a unique position in the market,” stated Bell. “GSM Intercom and Access Control is a new technology and Intratone is at the forefront of its development in Europe. The next six-to-12 months will be very important to us as we look to build on our excellent reputation in France and enhance our growing presence here in the UK. Our complete solution for door entry and access control is effective, easy to use and easy to manage. I’m excited for the forthcoming campaign with the launch of some new products and also working more closely with our partners.”